1953 Pacific hurricane season

Seasonal summary

Only four known systems were observed during the 1953 season. This was below the average at that time, which was six. Furthermore, the season was well below the 1949-2006 average of 13 named storms and had the fewest storms in the hurricane database. Only two tropical cyclones reached hurricane status, compared to the modern-day average of seven. Furthermore, 1953 is also one of the few seasons without a major hurricane. This season was part of a decade-long absence of major hurricanes; from 1950 to 1956, no major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale) were reported in the Eastern Pacific basin. However, it is possible that some storms were missed due to the lack of satellite coverage in the region in addition to the lack of Hurricane Hunter data, which did not become available until the following year.

The four known storms developed between the 14° N and the 20° N. All of the storms remained at sea throughout their lifetime; no deaths nor damages were noted during the season, though moisture from two of them reached the Southwestern United States. The season got onto an extremely slow start. The first storm formed in late August. At that time, it was believed that two systems would have long formed by then on average.

In addition to the four storms in the dataset, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center and Japan Meteorological Agency, on October 22 Tropical Storm Alice crossed the International Dateline, entering into CPHC's area of responsibility. The storm eventually became extratropical on October 23 over open waters.

Systems

Tropical Storm One

|1-min winds=45 Thunderstorm activity off the Mexican coast was quite for the first half of August. Based on data from six ships, a closed atmospheric circulation may have formed near the Revillagigedo Islands at 0000 UTC on August 23, which are situated roughly 350 mi south of the Baja California Peninsula. At this time, winds were estimated to be no higher than 28 mph. After formation, One moved west-northwest and on August 25, the storm attained its peak intensity of 50 mph. Furthermore, the ship S.S. Sirocco measured a minimum barometric pressure of 981 mbar. Although the WBOLA reported that the storm dissipated that night near the peninsula, the HURDAT database suggests that the storm maintained peak intensity for another day, until August 27 when it dissipated.

The remnants of Tropical Storm One brought heavy rains to Arizona at the very end of the month.

Tropical Storm Two

|1-min winds=45

Ships reports from the Hawaiian Islands to Panama indicated that an area of disturbed weather formed just west of the Revillagigedo island group. Initially, evidence of closed wind circulation was insufficient to warrant an upgrade into a tropical disturbance. By the afternoon, pressures in the region began to fall. By that night, it was estimated to have developed winds of 40 mph. A tropical storm formed on September 9; meanwhile, ship reports indicated a pressure of 1001 mbar and sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). Maintaining peak intensity for a day, the low moved northwest before dissipating on September 10 as barometric pressures began to rise. The remnants of the storm later brought rain to Central California on September 15.

Hurricane Three

|1-min winds=75 A tropical cyclone first formed on September 13 near Western Mexico (in the extreme southern Gulf of California) while generating winds of 30 -. It traveled north-northeastward and Three was upgraded into a hurricane on September 14 while reaching its maximum sustained wind speed of 85 mph. After turning east-northeast, Hurricane Three attained its peak pressure of 982 mbar. The storm held on to its wind speed, until September 17, when the storm dissipated. The remnants of the storm deluged the Mexican coast with rain, especially in Sinaloa. Winds of 45 mph were reported in Mazatlan on land; however, no damage was recorded.

Hurricane Four

|1-min winds=77

On October 1, a closed low formed in the Gulf of Tehuantepec from an area of disturbed weather, which had persisted for several days prior. The next day, the hurricane database suggests that Four became a hurricane on October 2 while peaking in intensity, with winds of 85 mph. That day, a peak pressure of 991 mbar was measured. The hurricane dissipated on October 8 later after holding on to its maximum wind speed for six days before finally dissipating nowhere near land.

Notes

References

References

1. Dorst, Neal. "When is hurricane season?". Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory.
2. (1954). "Eastern North Pacific hurricanes and tropical disturbances of 1953". National Climatic Data.
3. (2015). "Japan Meteorological Agency Best Tracks". Japan Meteorological Agency.
4. (1953). "bwp191953". Joint Typhoon Warning Center.